Cold and icy winds freeze life in Rajasthan

Jaipur: Extreme cold conditions continued to throw normal life out of gear for the third consecutive day in Rajasthan on Monday, with the lowest night temperature of minus 2.7 degrees Celsius recorded in Churu district.

Temperature in the state capital went down to 2.3 degree Celsius on Sunday night, the lowest this winter, Met officials told IANS.

Dense fog coupled with icy winds compelled people across the state to stay indoors, especially after sunset.

A thick fog enveloped many parts of this large state, and Bharatpur, Dausa and Alwar districts, close to Delhi, were wrapped in a blanket of fog.

A senior Met department officer attributed the cold wave to icy winds from the foothills of the Himalayas and said conditions would not change over the next few days.

Homeless people have taken the brunt of the intense cold, as the state government has failed to make arrangements for them.

"We have set up some night shelters at various places in Jaipur. We are trying to accommodate as many homeless people as possible. The number of night shelters will be increased," a Jaipur Municipal Corporation officer said.